Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontitis has been granted for treatment purposes. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements of service connection.,For his hiatal hernia with GERD, the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 10 percent from November 23, 2007; 30 percent from April 19, 2011; and 60 percent from April 7, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary bypass surgery, as well as service connection for sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records from the VA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining new medical opinions and examinations to address the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as his service connection claim for IBS, was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his in-service symptoms and/or PTSD, and thus service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by pain and limitation of motion, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation prior to March 28, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied as his disability alone did not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since October 15, 2012. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition does not meet criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 24, 2003. The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability and denied a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current sleep apnea or atrial fibrillation, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was denied for both sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The conditions are now considered to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea as it was present during active duty and continues today. Service connection is also granted for hypertension, which manifested in service and continued after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate his spine disability and radiculopathy. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain and bilateral hallux valgus deformities are rated at the minimum levels under VA rating criteria. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately compensate for her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied sleep apnea claim and determined that service connection is warranted, with the condition being related to service-connected PTSD.